I'm sure some may say I am no expert on Valparaiso football, but who needs to be to see that the program needs a major upheaval.

For those who don't know much about the Crusaders, they are currently at 0-9 on the season (0-5 in the Pioneer Football League). The most recent defeat came at Marist on Saturday, 30-7.

Last season, Valpo went 0-11 in head coach Dale Carlson's first season in charge. The Crusaders have not won a single game since Sept. 12, 2009 against D-III Concordia (Wisc).

Here are some highlights (if you want to call them that) during Valpo's 29-game losing streak:- Two losses to the same D-III team two years in a row: at Franklin (42-7), Sept. 11, 2010, and hosting Franklin (49-35), Sept. 3, 2011.- The Crusaders were dominated by Jacksonville Oct. 16, 2010 by a score of 86-7. Yep, that was not a typo.- This season at Youngstown State (granted they are a strong football program), Valpo lost 77-13 on Sept. 10.- Valpo has been outscored 439-121 in nine games this season.- The Crusaders have allowed at least 30 points in 24 games during the losing streak.- They have only scored 20 or more points in four games since their last win.

How can a D-1 program have such terrible numbers? Because Valpo is a non-scholarship program in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision - players are expected to pay full tuition (or whatever isn't covered by loans and grants). It's not like Valpo can't afford to give players at least a partial scholarship, considering an average cost per year is $30,000.

The total numbers per year actually add up to more than $40,000 when you consider the cost of books, meal plans and living on campus.

But another reason to offer scholarships is that it brings an incentive for players in the program, as well as attracting potential recruits. "You would be playing D-I football, but we can't give you anything more than a spot on the roster."

The stadium is also more like a set of high school bleachers with an outdated press box. The university does not bring an appealing atmosphere for their team or their fans.

I realize that university officials feel their big money-making program is in basketball, with the trips to the NCAA tournament in the 1990s and a program that should develop well under new head coach Bryce Drew, son of long-time coach Homer Drew.

But if you're going to have a football program, maybe you should put a little more effort in making it a competitive and attractive program.

This is not a shot at the players and coaching staff. They are doing the best with what they have. But you can travel only so many miles on a run down 1980 Chevy Chevette.